Everything you need to know about the transit visa for Saudi Arabia

Are you interested in the Islamic culture? Are you fascinated by historical monuments and sites? Then Saudi Arabia should be your next destination.

Saudi Arabia is a mesmerizing country with desert rock formations and historical sites like old Jeddah where there is the burial place of the first woman, Eve, and the village in the Bidah Valley with polished stone houses surrounded by mountains that have remained the same since the village was settled in the 8th century CE. It is actually considered one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Until recently, in 2019, Saudi Arabia was closed to international tourism. Now it is allowing tourists from all over the world to discover its beauty with the new Electronic Saudi eVisa.

If you are thinking of travelling to this country or making a stopover during a cruise, you need all the information about what is required by authorities. Here you will find the answers to all your questions. 

Do I need a visa for a cruise stopover in Saudi Arabia? 

The short answer is yes, a transit visa is needed if you are going to make a stopover in the country. If you want to visit the country during a cruise stopover that stops in the Dammam and Jeddah ports, please make sure you have the visa. 

How can I get a transit visa for Saudi Arabia? 

With Visagov, the whole application process becomes the simplest task. You can apply for the transit visa in an easy way and 100% online. We will take it from there and once it is approved, you will receive the visa in your email in 24 hours maximum.

Moreover, in the price it will be included the compulsory medical insurance. This is necessary to get a hold of the visa and entry the country. No worries, there won't be any extra cost or fees. 

What do I need to apply for the visa? 

You need to have the following:

• A valid passport.
• A personal photo.
• A functioning email that will allow you to receive the document.
• A credit card to pay for the visa.

Are there any scenarios where I don’t need a visa to stopover in Saudi Arabia? 

You won’t need one only if you are a citizen from the Gulf Cooperation Council: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Bahrain, State of Kuwait, Sultanate of Oman, United Arab Emirates and State of Qatar.

Latest news about the transit visa for Saudi Arabia 

In order to boost tourism, from the 30th of January, Saudi Arabia will be implementing a free four-day visa. This new Saudi visa entitles its holder to a four-day stay in the Kingdom and will be valid for three months if they arrive to the Kingdom by air. This document will allow those in transit to perform Umrah (the Islamic pilgrimage) and visit the Prophet’s Mosque, in addition to roaming and  attending tourism events. 

When purchasing tickets to visit the Kingdom via airline Flynas, passengers will be automatically passed to the unified national visa platform at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. When the request is processed, it will be automatically approved and emailed to the passenger.

With all these facilities, there is no excuse for you to travel and discover what Saudi Arabia has to offer. Remember to make sure to get the visa if your stay is longer than four days and to always carry the printed document. You will need to show this when entering the country. 

For more information on how to make the most of your trip to Saudi Arabia, you can take a look at our complete guide on Saudi Arabia.